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[Victoria]

Wind rattled the window panes, washing the cool glass with light rain and cold air. It couldn't have been later than five in the morning, judging by the light that tried desperately to seep through the heavy curtains. She'd been awake for at least half an hour, surrounded by the warmth of Justus's body, and the thick covers she had used on their bed for the winter weather outside. The house was never usually cold, and sometimes even the covers weren't needed at all, even if it was a raging blizzard outside. Yet for some reason, she felt the chill on the other side of the window, almost like it seeped through the walls and gone straight to her bones. She felt all wrong, something wasn't right, that much she knew, but what she couldn't exactly figure out. As far as she knew, shape shifters didn't get sick, actually, for as long as she had been one, she didn't ever remember getting even a small cold. This feeling however, wasn't just a sort of cold, her entire body felt off, like something was sucking the energy right out of her, making her unable to keep herself warm. Sighing she turned her head to the side, looking at Justus as he continued sleeping. She didn't want to wake him. Very slowly, and carefully she pushed his arm away from around her, and pulled the covers back. She gasped as cold hit her, raising goose bumps along her bare skin. Immediately she started shivering, the cold sinking deeper into her once the warmth of Justus's body and the covers were finally removed. Clenching her teeth she stood, and instantly regretted it. Her whole world spun, making her nearly tip over if it wasn't for the night stand. "What the hell is wrong with me?" she whispered softly to herself. Swallowing back a sudden wave of nausea she headed for the bathroom, knowing that just standing on her feet was going to make her sick. She moved quickly despite her dizziness, opening the door to their room and rushing out into the darkness of the hall as she headed for the bathroom only across the hall. Sickness washed over her even before she was on her knees, throwing up what little was left in her stomach due to her having been asleep for hours. It took ten minutes for her to gather up enough strength to move, and though her nausea had passed, her world was still tilting on its axis. She made sure to brush her teeth before leaving, she wasn't about to get sick again just because of that disgusting lingering taste. Flipping off the light she headed back down the hall, passing her open door as she made her way to the stairs. Coffee sounded to good, as did a breakfast of beacon and eggs. She wrapped one arm around her middle, sore from having thrown up nothing. Her other hand reach out for the stair railing. It was then that her world decided to tip, and then spin. She felt her eyes widen just before she took a step to save herself, a step she had thought was to move backwards. A moment was lost and then she felt pain surround her, she felt herself tumbling, spinning, her head slamming against something hard, and an ear splitting scream tear from her throat, frightened and filled with pain. She didn't remember when she'd landed at the bottom of the stairs, only that she was no longer falling, or spinning, but the pain would go away. She didn't even know if anything was broken, because her entire body hurt, hurt like it was trying to tear itself apart from the inside. Hot tears scalded her cheeks and she writhed across the cold marble floor curling in on herself as she screamed. She couldn't shift, and that thought, the knowledge that it was a fact, made it all worse. ---------- His body jerked and then he sat up so quickly he very nearly displaced himself. He'd never awoken so quickly in his entire life, but suddenly, he was wide awake. He heard something, but his senses hadn't yet caught up with him, until the sound turned into a very familiar scream. Panic made him move, flinging the covers off and quickly leaning over to shake Dane awake "Dane Fucking wake up!" he shouted before he turned and took off, opening the door only for it to slam against the wall behind it. Dominic didn't know what the hell was happening, but his mind dragged back to the worst. For a moment he thought Justus had finally turned his demon upon her, Victoria, and then he realized he didn't smell blood. He didn't smell anything but her recent sickness from down the hall. "JUSTUS!!!" he shouted before turning on his heel and ran down the hall. He didn't even slow down as he hit the stairs, he just followed that loud chilling scream, filled with so much pain, pain that couldn't find an outlet. He hit his knees next to her, afraid to touch, her and afraid not to. "Shhh. Vicky, i am here." he whispered to her before pulling her into his lap. She clung to him, but her screams never ceased. He held her, careful not to cause her pain, eyes staring up the stairs, waiting desperately for the other two, hopefully one of them knew what the hell was wrong. If anyone, it would be Dane.

[Justus]

As he peered upward he acknowledged that the sun had become nothing more than a reddish orb within the ominously clouded sky. Hot, spicy wind blew hordes of sand into his face and eyes as peculiar claps of thunder reverberated from over head. He glimpsed around, his golden blonde hair whipping about with the thick breeze; he recognized this place, but this was not where he had been before. He felt oppressed with the excessively muggy weather, his feet were now searing on top of the crimson desert floor- he had forgotten how unpleasant these mortal discomforts were. “Why am I here?” His voice echoed as if he were an excessively large, empty house. His violet eyes scanned the hellish valley, the flat landscape ran on into an endless plain without the slightest hint of life. Then, when he felt as though he were lost in nothingness- a voice ran out in reply. “Have you forgotten?” Asked the recognizably silky voice. “Have you forgotten what my brother has asked of you?” The tender, lust filled vocals sent a surge of dread and insecurity down his spine. “W-what?” Justus stammered, his amber gaze filled with trepidation- “What do you mean?” He was searching for the possessor of the superficial tone, “promise?” “The shard, find the shard- Justus… Justus? JUSTUS. JUSTUS?!” He sat up in bed with one frantic motion, immediately seeing that his beautiful fiancé had parted from his side. He threw himself off the mattress, glancing at the window before moving desperately to the door frame, hardly taking the time to rub the grogginess from his eyes. He met Dane at the hall, Dane’s confusion was mirrored within his own sense of sluggish bewilderment- then in a mockery of monty python, they turned their heads and stared down the stairs. Dane moved first, but Justus was at his heels. Yet when he reached Victoria he hardly knew what to do, or where to begin- *Baby?* He whimpered lightly, *baby- shush-* He begged, lowering himself onto his knees, stroking her light blonde hair. *Justus, move.* Dane ordered, shoving him away with his words. *Nothing seems broken-* He hissed, running his fingers over the vital areas. He bit down on his lip before running them through his dark hair all the while Justus glared at him with uncertainty- *What?* He snarled, *why are you making that face?! What is wrong with her?!* Justus demanded as Dane flinched away, trying to hide his expression. *Dominic- lift her up, lets move her to the couch- * *NO. Don’t fucking move her until you tell me what’s wrong with her- Baby- shift, DANE why can’t she shift?* Justus roared and Dane shook his head, peering at Dominic with uninvited comprehension. *I’m not sure, Justus…* Dane replied, looking back toward Justus, *it could be a number of things, lets try to calm her down and see if we can try to get her to speak…* Dane contradicted every stereotypical “cold-blooded” comment that existed, his warm, calming voice relaxed the tense air. *Dom, get her- but watch her neck-* Table-Morbid/Graphic-Spirit

[Victoria]

Her tears felt like they were boiling, streaming down her cold cheeks. Despite the pain that made her scream, the cold around her made her body tremble in Dominic's arms. She couldn't speak, couldn't even find the energy to try and speak to them, she just couldn't stop screaming. Sweat coated her face, soaking her hair and cloths. Dominic looked up as Justus and Dane flew down the stairs and immediately came to him and Victoria. Dominic shifted, getting ready to stand before Justus yelled his protest. "Justus..." he hissed, glaring at the man in front of him. Knowing that wasn't as important as trying to calm Victoria down long enough to figure out what was going on. Shaking his head he moved his feet under him and pushed himself to his feet, he slipped past the two, careful of Victoria's neck as Dane had directed, he wasn't about to cause her any more harm than what had already occurred. Dominic moved quickly into the other room and to the couch. He moved to his knees as he carefully laid her on the couch. She immediately curled on her side, clinging to his neck, her hands balled into tight fists. "hush, darling, please..." he whispered softly into her ear, stroking her face gently as he rested his forehead against hers. "whats wrong... what happened?" He asked, waiting for her as she continued to cry out. She was shaking her head, eyes shut tight as she fought the pain, tried pulling back from the need to shift, Never had she realized how hard it was to fight when she couldn't give in, couldn't ride herself of the pain and allow herself the pleasant free feeling of her other form. It took a while, long after Dominic had asked her his question that she was even slightly capable of speaking, and even then she was still crying. The pain had subsided, though it lingered as an ache and soreness that filled her muscles and bones. It hurt to just move, but she assumed that it was because of her fall down the stairs, and not the effects of not being able to shift. Her body was trembling, almost violently as she continued to cling to Dominic. She shook her head, her screams having now been reduced to soft whimpers of pain and fear. Slowly she opened her eyes, the color of them so bright and pale that it was a wonder they weren't completely white. "I... i don't know..." she whispered softly, her voice trembling as she looked slowly, painfully around the room. When her eyes landed on Justus she lifted a hand, reaching for him before she broke down again, her tears consuming her into sudden sobs. "Its so cold... " she cried shutting her eyes tight as her fingers curled around Justus' hand. The heat from his body startled her, but drew her instincts to collect the warmth. She pulled him close, whimpering at the pain in her limbs, her muscles. Dominic lifted a hand pressing it against Justus' chest. "Don't, She is burning up. Dane..." he turned looking at Dane with confusion, shock playing in his blue eyes. "We don't get sick, we don't get fevers, what the hell is wrong with her?" He asked hearing Victoria cry out when he stopped Justus from warming her up. Table-Morbid/Graphic-Spirit

[Justus]

The hum of her anguish was plunging him further into lunacy- if that were even probable. His body cringed with the reverberation of her cries, his skin crawled with her aching whimpers and has her form twisted agonizingly- his own physique squirmed uncomfortably. Though his actions ceased when he felt Dominic’s firm hand rest cautiously upon his chest- the sensation infuriating. *She wants me-* He justified, refusing to accept that Victoria was feverish. “Justus- please, there is no need to make this anymore complicated.” Dane explained lightly, attempting all the while to keep his tone moderately even. *Anymore complicated?* He hardly attempted to disguise the vehemence within his growled vocals, *how about you tell me exactly what you know.* Justus spat poisonously, but Dane paid no mind and continued to tend to Victoria. “Dominic- run a rag under cool water, we’ll soak under her arms and forehead to try and bring her temperature down, I fear submerging her in cold bath my send her into shock and that could result in a much worse situation.” *Worse than the one we are in now?* Justus snarled sarcastically, the Irish brogue that he had always concealed had reemerged with his rage. *Tell me boyo- along with your other millions of secrets, what are tryin’ to hide now?* Dane hesitated, then gradually turned to look at Justus before whispering lowly in a tone more suited for mother dealing with a rowdy child, “this is not the appropriate time, Justus.” Something snapped within him- as it usually did. Justus grabbed Dane, who had been crouching by Victoria’s side, and pulled him up in one swift, vicious movement. His feral gaze desperate for understanding, *the love of my life is laying at my feet acting as though she were being tortured from unseen entities, and here you are telling me and it isn’t the ‘appropriate time’,* He slammed the weightless man into the wall nearest to them, *I don’t fucking think so.* He raised his fist ominously, his expression held dangerous intent as Dane watched him with a mix stubborn fear. “Justus please-” He punched him- though not as hard as he could have. He was holding back a lot of his strength so that Dane would not need to shift and could still take care of Victoria after his bullying had ceased. Dane stretched out his aching jaw, letting out a low reptilian hiss as he did so- His murky green irises flashed in Dominic’s direction, warning him not to intrude. He knew what would occur if Dom dared to infringe upon the demon’s assaulting tactics. “Justus-” His voice sounded like shattering glass, brittle and sharp- “you so desperately beg to know what is wrong with her-” He didn’t want the words to escape him, he didn’t want to accept it for himself. The very thought made his insides churn with fear and revolution- the horrible thing that they had created. It would be a monster… “She’s… well… I think… She’s pregnant.” The final words escaped him in an exhale. He felt himself be freed and slide easily to the floor as Justus took a few steps, his facial features blank. “Justus?” *That's... impossible...* He mumbled wearily, sounding oddly breathless. *Vicky?* Table-Morbid/Graphic-Spirit

[Victoria]

Dominic turned with a low snarl as Justus went after Dane when he wouldn't tell him what was going on. His teeth clenched tightly as Dane shot him that look, the one that would prevent him from tearing Justus off. He glared at Dane before turning his eyes to Justus. He watched them both for a moment before turning back to Victoria. He brushed her hair back, whispering to her that he would be back. "Don't kill each other" He hissed before disappearing through the doorway and into the kitchen, to do as he'd been told. He collected four kitchen towels, a large bowl and filled it with cold water before adding ice to the mix. When he returned, he froze, his eyes shifting quickly to Dane as he said that the possibility was that Victoria was pregnant. He looked from Justus to Victoria and then to Dane as the possibility set in, and the horror of it all. If he was right, then this was not something to celebrate, because it wasn't just a child growing in her womb, but an abomination, a creature that was half human and half demon, it was evil. "How is that impossible? Your male, she's female, I believe in the end that creates a baby." he snapped before looking at Victoria, who seemed to be unaware of what they were talking about as she curled up, whimpering to herself as she tried to warm up. Dominic shook his head before he walked towards her and knelt down before ringing out a towel and putting it over her forehead. As soon as the cold icy cloth touched her skin she jerked back, screaming and pushing his hands away. "No! Please! Its to cold!" She screamed, her eyes wild as she tried to shove him away from her, though her strength had waned considerably since she'd fallen down the stairs. "Justus... i need you." she cried again reaching for him as Dominic tried to hold her down. "Dane, Justus, i need help." He snapped looking at the two of them as Victoria began to struggle against him, whimpering about being cold, about needing Justus. Dominic didn't want to hurt her, didn't want to cover her with cold towels. He wanted to curl around her, to warm her up. The cat inside her called to his own, like it would call to Justus' the familiarity of feline. He wanted to protect her, not hurt her. "Vicky, Doll face, shhh, please, calm down, we aren't going to hurt you" he said, desperately trying to calm her as her eyes flashed from bright blue to that feline green, a golden green as she met his own blue eyes. She seemed to find something in his eyes, something that was enough to calm her for a moment. Then she began shaking her head, curling her body around herself as she lifted her hands to either side of her head. "I'm fucking cold! If any of you touch me with those towels i will rip your face of!" She screamed, only to begin shaking her head and shivering all over again. Dominic slowly pulled his hands away from her before he tilted his head and turned to look at Dane. "So what do you suggest?" He said before he looked at Justus and smiled. "She wont hurt you, you do it." he said before shoving the bowl with itc icy towels into Justus's hands. Table-Morbid/Graphic-Spirit